Bhajans

🪔

Diwali

Festival of Lights

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the most celebrated Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festival spans five days, with each day having its own significance and rituals.

Significance

Celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana.

Duration: 5 days

Rituals & Traditions

Cleaning and decorating homes
Lighting diyas (oil lamps) and candles
Creating rangoli patterns
Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi
Exchanging gifts and sweets
Bursting fireworks

Sacred Shloka

Mahalakshmi Stotram

Sanskrit:

नमस्तेस्तु महामाये श्रीपीठे सुरपूजिते। शंखचक्र गदाहस्ते महालक्ष्मी नमोस्तुते॥

English Translation:

I bow to Mahamaya, who is worshiped at Sripeetha by the gods, who holds the conch, discus, and mace in her hands. I bow to Mahalakshmi.

Meaning:

This powerful shloka invokes Goddess Lakshmi, acknowledging her as the supreme divine mother who is worshipped by all gods and holds the divine weapons symbolizing protection and prosperity.

Sacred Stories

Lord Rama's Return

The most well-known story of Diwali is the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Lord Rama had defeated the demon king Ravana, and the people of Ayodhya lit countless oil lamps (diyas) to illuminate their path and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. This tradition of lighting lamps continues to this day, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.

Goddess Lakshmi's Choice

Another significant story is about the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. During the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan), Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean. It is said that on this auspicious day of Diwali, she chose Lord Vishnu as her husband from among all the gods, making this day especially sacred for seeking her blessings for prosperity and abundance.

Devotional Bhajan

Aarti Shree Lakshmi Ji

Hindi/Sanskrit:

आरती श्री लक्ष्मी जी की कमल वासिनी माता विष्णु प्रिया श्री लक्ष्मी जगत की माता तेरे द्वार आए हैं भक्त तेरे माता कष्ट हरो सुख दो सबका भला करो माता धन धान्य की देवी सबकी तुम माता करुणा करो दया करो भक्तों पर माता

English Translation:

Aarti of Shree Lakshmi Ji O Mother who resides on lotus Beloved of Vishnu, Shree Lakshmi Mother of the world Your devotees have come To your door, O Mother Remove sorrows, give happiness Do good for everyone, Mother Goddess of wealth and grains You are everyone's mother Show compassion, show mercy On your devotees, Mother

Meaning:

This devotional bhajan is sung to honor Goddess Lakshmi, describing her divine attributes as the lotus-dwelling goddess and beloved consort of Lord Vishnu, seeking her blessings for prosperity and well-being.

Sacred Aarti

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata

Hindi/Sanskrit:

ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता, मैया जय लक्ष्मी माता तुमको निशदिन ध्यावत, हर विष्णु विधाता ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता उमा रमा ब्रह्माणी, तुम शिव शक्ति भवानी तीनों लोक में व्याप्त, तेरी महिमा भवानी ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता महालक्ष्मी जी आरती, कीजै जो कोई नर नारी उर आनंद अति होवै, पाप उतरे तन भारी ॐ जय लक्ष्मी माता

English Translation:

Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Mother Jai Lakshmi Mata Day and night we meditate on you, Hari Vishnu the creator Om Jai Lakshmi Mata Uma, Rama, Brahmani, you are Shiva's power Bhavani Spread across all three worlds, your glory O Bhavani Om Jai Lakshmi Mata Whoever performs Mahalakshmi's aarti, man or woman Experiences great joy in heart, heavy sins are removed from body Om Jai Lakshmi Mata

Meaning:

This is the complete traditional aarti of Goddess Lakshmi, acknowledging her various forms and her omnipresence across all three worlds, seeking her blessings for spiritual joy and purification from sins.